Destined to become the guide of choice, Mapping the Sky is a glorious survey for the lay astronomer. Written with beginners in mind, it sets the stage with a history of the science and outlines the basics of stargazing, from choosing the right telescope to taking photographs of the stars. Readers discover how to tell a star's magnitude by its color, find the most famous constellations, and much, much more. Featuring a handy star wheel, entertaining text, and page after page of illustrations, photographs, and diagrams. Mapping the Sky is a volume as rich and vibrant as its subject.